Side-by-side · Research reference

AOD-9604vsHexarelin

Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.

APhase 2Reviewed10/47 cited

BPhase 1Reviewed19/45 cited

AOD-9604

HGH 176-191 · β3-AR Lipolytic

250–300 mcgDaily doseHeffernan 2001

Phase 2Evidence levelHeffernan 2001 Ng 2008

~30 minHalf-life

SQ · Abdomen · Daily fasted

Hexarelin

Hexapeptide GHRP · Cardio-tropic

100–200 mcgPer doseSmith 1996

Phase 1Evidence levelGhigo 1997

~70 minHalf-lifeSemenistaya 2010

SQ · Multiple sites · 1–3×/day

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

AOD-9604

Hexarelin

Primary target

β3-adrenergic receptor (proposed)Ng 2008

Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) + cardiac CD36Smith 1996 Ghigo 1997

Pathway

β3-AR activation → cAMP → hormone-sensitive lipase activation → triglyceride breakdown to FFA + glycerolNg 2008

GHS-R1a → Gαq → Ca²⁺ → GH release. CD36 engagement → direct cardio-tropic actionGhigo 1997

Downstream effect

Lipolysis of adipose tissue triglycerides; FFA release for oxidation; minimal IGF-1 / insulin impactHeffernan 2001

Strong GH pulse + IGF-1 elevation; cardio-protective effects in animal MI modelsGhigo 1997

Feedback intact?

No GH-axis or IGF-1 feedback

Yes initially; tachyphylaxis with chronic useGhigo 1997

Origin

Synthetic modified C-terminal hexadecapeptide fragment of human GH (176-191) with N-terminal Tyr substitutionNg 2008

Synthetic hexapeptide His-D-2-Methyl-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂Smith 1996

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

AOD-9604

Hexarelin

Standard dose

250–300 mcg / dayHeffernan 2001

Anecdotal SQ range. Phase 2 trial dose 1 mg/day oral.

100–200 mcg per injectionSmith 1996

Frequency

Once daily, fasted

1–2× per day max (tachyphylaxis with chronic 3× daily)

Lower / starter dose

150 mcg / day

50 mcg per dose

Evidence basis

Phase 2 trials + animal-strongHeffernan 2001 Ng 2008

Phase 1 / Phase 2 trialsSmith 1996 Ghigo 1997

Duration

8–12 weeks per cycle

4–8 weeks on / 4–8 weeks off (tachyphylaxis mitigation)

Reconstitution

Bacteriostatic water, 1 mL per 2 mg vial → 2 mg/mL

Bacteriostatic water

Timing

Morning fasted preferred (pre-cardio)

Aligns with circadian lipolysis.

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred

Half-life

~30 min plasma

~70 minSemenistaya 2010

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

AOD-9604

Hexarelin

Injection site reaction

Mild erythema

—

GI symptoms

Rare mild nausea

—

Cardiovascular

Possible mild HR increase via β3-AR (theoretical β1 cross-reactivity)

—

IGF-1 elevation

None — designed to lack GH-axis activityHeffernan 2001

Strong; monitor with chronic high-dose use

Insulin sensitivity

Neutral — no glucose impairmentHeffernan 2001

—

Cancer risk

No GH/IGF-1 axis activity → lower theoretical risk vs HGH

Contraindicated in active malignancy (GH/IGF-1 axis)

Pregnancy / OB

Avoid

Cortisol elevation

—

Modest at high dosesGhigo 1997

Prolactin elevation

—

Modest at high dosesGhigo 1997

Hunger

—

Strong appetite increase via ghrelin agonism

Tachyphylaxis

—

Receptor desensitisation with chronic dosingGhigo 1997

Cardiac effects

—

Direct cardio-tropic; potential benefit in MI but unstudied in humansGhigo 1997

Absolute Contraindications

AOD-9604

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Severe cardiovascular disease (caution with β-receptor agonists)

Hexarelin

·Active malignancy
·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis

Relative Contraindications

AOD-9604

·Concurrent β-blocker therapy (theoretical antagonism)
·Pheochromocytoma

Hexarelin

·Untreated diabetes
·Severe hyperprolactinemia

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

AOD-9604

Hexarelin

1. Reconstitution

Add 1 mL bacteriostatic water to 2 mg vial → 2 mg/mL = 200 mcg per 0.1 mL.

Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 5 mg vial → 2.5 mg/mL = 250 mcg per 0.1 mL.

2. Injection site

SQ — abdomen preferred. Rotate sites.

SQ — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

3. Timing

Morning, fasted, ideally pre-cardio for amplified fat oxidation.

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred. Cycle on/off to avoid tachyphylaxis.

4. Storage

Lyophilised: room temp, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate, ≤30 days.

Lyophilised: room temp, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.

5. Needle

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

06Stack Synergy

AOD-9604

+ MOTS-c

Moderate

View MOTS-c →

AOD-9604 mobilises FFAs from adipose via β3-AR; MOTS-c upregulates AMPK / PGC-1α / FAO machinery so that mobilised FFAs are efficiently oxidised. The pathways are sequential — supply (AOD) plus demand (MOTS-c) — and produce more durable lipolytic effects than either alone in anecdotal protocols.

AOD-9604: 250–300 mcg SQ · morning fasted (daily)
MOTS-c: 5 mg SQ · 2–3× per week (pre-workout)
Primary benefit: Fat mobilisation + mitochondrial oxidation, no IGF-1 concern

Hexarelin

+ CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Strong

View CJC-1295 (no DAC) →

Hexarelin (GHRP) + CJC-1295-no-DAC (GHRH analogue) is the higher-amplitude variant of the standard GHRH+GHRP stack. Hexarelin produces a stronger pulse than ipamorelin but with cortisol + prolactin signal — choose this stack for maximum GH amplitude when side-effect tolerance is acceptable. Cycle aggressively.

Hexarelin: 100 mcg SQ · pre-sleep
CJC-1295 (no DAC): 100 mcg SQ · same injection
Primary benefit: Maximum GH pulse amplitude (with side-effect signal)

Smith 1996 Teichman 2006